Following the news of Black Leopards possibly returning to the PSL after their relegation this season, there have been different opinions in the fraternity on the selling and buying of professional football clubs in Mzansi.
After their disastrous season due to a string of poor results, Leopards were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship but could soon return to the league after buying the status of All Stars FC as per media reports.
Some have questioned the league's policies that govern the selling and buying of clubs and former Leopards coach Walter Rautmann is one of those who believe that rules should change.
The Good
"This whole thing is worrying because it is affecting our football from youth level. I am involved in coaching youngsters and I coach in schools, townships and all over. You must look overseas, I have been at Manchester City academy because I played with Manchester City players during my days and I always supported the club. The facilities in their academy are great. Their players stay in an academy and in school their facilities are top class and they have top coaches and that's why they produce top players. Here people buy and sell clubs to each other and anyone can open an academy," said Rautmann.
The Bad
"It's ridiculous! I think it's an absolute joke that clubs get relegated and buy their way back to the PSL soon after. The whole season a team fights against relegation and doesn't succeed and why must it then come back to the league through by a status of another club? Nowhere in the world it is allowed. Why is that so? It's because of some people in football for the wrong reasons. Everybody is happy about making money out of football. You are relegated, you are relegated, and you must fight your way back on the field of play. Look at what happened between Tshakhuma (Tsha Madzivhandila) and Marumo (Gallants), with this one buying another one and others fighting for relegation, I mean it's ridiculous and it's killing the whole sport," the coach said.
The Ugly
"It kills the whole football. It's absolute disgrace. Look at what happened to Bloemfontein Celtic. You know that I coached Celtic and they had the best supporters in South Africa. But how is it that the club was allowed to be sold to somebody in Durban? That's what I mean about the whole football being killed. These teams are being sold for money and people doing it don't care about the fans, the supporters, the crowds. Imagine Manchester United getting relegated and go on to buy another club, it wouldn't be allowed. If you are relegated, you are relegated. (David) Thidiela (Leopards chairman) used to owe me money, but I saved his club from relegation," he added.
That's Why Bafana Is A Joke
"Look at the U17s and they have been losing games and getting a hiding. In four games, they lost three and were beaten 5-0. You think we can improve our football when our youth teams lose like that? There are not enough proper soccer academies here. We must put in charge the best coaches for the youth teams. For example, in Europe academies use the best professional coaches because youngsters need the best coaching and not just anyone. That's why we are going nowhere and that's why Bafana Bafana is a joke. This buying and selling of clubs is contributing to it. It's ridiculous and a joke," concluded Rautmann.
Should PSL Change Rules On Buying/Selling Of Clubs?
